Basking in the warmth of Rabbi Blue

RABBI Lionel Blue is one of those preachers whose appeal spreads across all religions and no religions. Nearer 80 than 70 he is frailer than he was on his last visit five years ago, but his mind is as sharp as ever.

RABBI Lionel Blue is one of those preachers whose appeal spreads across all religions and no religions. Nearer 80 than 70 he is frailer than he was on his last visit five years ago, but his mind is as sharp as ever.

There’s no fanfare and no introduction. He wanders on stage from the prompt corner wearing a suit, which looks as if it has been bought for him to grow into. He leans on a stick and starts to speak.

“This is the happiest theatre I’ve ever been in”, he says. And for the next two hours the audience at the Yvonne Theatre bask in the warmth of his personality. Ignoring the elegant chair provided for him and without a single note, he chats to us. The lights are up in the auditorium so that he can see us as clearly as we can see him. His face is round and Pickwickian and most of the time he’s smiling.

We, on the other hand, are laughing, as he delivers a stream of jokes, some of which are quite raunchy. Like the one about the wife told by her daughter to moan when making love. So next time it happens she asks, “Do I moan now?” “Not yet”, says her husband. “Now?” “Not yet”, he says. “Now?” “Yes, yes, now”. “I’ve had a terrible day”, she says.

The jokes are punctuated by profound insights. Lately he has had a hard time. Cancer and a recurrence of it underlines his mortality and he has advice for older people. “Repair your relationships while you can. Pass on what you have learned. Help one another”.

Religion he tells us is not magic. It doesn’t solve problems but it helps us to cope.

Telling us we didn’t have to buy his books, we could get them in the library, he advises us to laugh a lot. “It’ll boost your immune system. Listen to this.

A group of Jewish women lunching in a restaurant. The waiter comes up. ‘Good afternoon ladies. Anything right?’”

As far as An Evening with Lionel Bloom was concerned, everything was right.